Charoite
CharoiteJewelryWiki Editorial·1 source·Reviewed 2026-08-04
A swirling violet stone found in exactly one place on earth — the Chara River area of Siberia, which is where the name comes from. Its fibrous structure gives it a silky, almost woven appearance, and unusually for a stone this distinctive, IGS lists no typical treatments at all.
Properties
| Property | Value | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 5–6 [1] | — |
| Specific gravity | 2.54–2.78 [1] | — |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic; crystals thin and fibrous [1] | — |
| Common treatments | None listed by IGS, which is rare for a stone of this colour. What you see is generally what the rock does. [1] | — |
| Suitability for daily wear | Good, per IGS — but at Mohs 5–6 it still sits below quartz, so an everyday ring will dull over time. [1] | — |
Sources
- International Gem Society — gemstone articles — International Gem Society (IGS, gemstone information articles (gemsociety.org))